When a licensed Professional Land Surveyor or Engineer are hired to perform an Elevation Certificate (EC), they are providing data which will determine if the structure located on the lot is at risk of flooding. If the EC results are favorable and the structure is located above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), then a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) requesting that FEMA remove the property from the flood zone can be filed. There are 3 options for filing the form:
- The property owner can file the form by printing out the application and mailing in the required documents to FEMA. This is a free service. It typically takes approximately 90 days for FEMA to process the information and reply.
- The property owner can file the form online via www.FEMA.gov. They will be required to scan an upload several documents, including a copy of the EC, their deed, a copy of the subdivision plat, and a copy of the flood map, along with other additional items. This is a free service. It typically takes approximately 60 days for FEMA to process the information and reply.
- The property owner can hire a FEMA approved Professional Land Surveyor or Engineer to file the information online via the eLOMA process. Fees vary from company to company, but typical fees are several hundred dollars. Once all of the required information has been submitted the results are immediate. If the file is selected for a random audit, it takes a minimum of 5 days to receive a finaldetermination once all the additional documentation is provided to FEMA.
Keep in mind, that just because you submit for a LOMA, does not mean that it will be approved! There are certain indicators that can provide insight as to the probability that a structure will be removed that can be found on an EC. Having a knowledgeable Professional Land Surveyor or Engineer to advise you is key in knowing whether or not you should submit a LOMA.
I’ve been waiting for a determination since March 2020.
I have gone through a surveyor who filled out the necessary forms. Could you please respond?
Thank you for reaching out to us and commenting on our blog. We would like to discuss this with you in more detail. Please email us at [email protected] so we can have more one-on-one dialog about your comment/questions. Thanks so much, Will with Cardinal Surveying
I filed a LOMA application April 27, 2020 and have never heard anything.
should I just refile the application?
I need a LOMA from FEMA. So my lender will drop flood insurance requirements. My property is wrongfully located in a Floodzone for over 20 years, but lenders have usually declined the Insurance requirement based off the city of Marysville declaration and map package showing that my property is not in a Floodzone.
I need a LOMA from FEMA. So my lender will drop flood insurance requirements. My property was wrongfully located in a Flood zone when I received a federally backed loan from my local bank. Fema maps that don’t show elevation amke it look like the homw is right on the creek bank. It is not. My home and garage are at least 30 feet in elevation higher than the creek at flood stage. I have not been able to find a surveyor to help me on this. One should be allowed to sue FEMA in making these improper declarations on flooding.